South Dakota’s Great Places: Native American Scenic Byway

Among the countless beautiful drives in South Dakota, one stands out as a unique opportunity for travelers. The Native American Scenic Byway is one of South Dakota’s Great Places.

The byway takes travelers on a journey north to south across the entire state of South Dakota. The total distance of the route is approximately 450 miles. The byway passes through five reservation and tribal lands including Standing Rock, Cheyenne River, Lower Brule, Crow Creek, and Yankton.

Passing through the heart of the Great Sioux Nation in central South Dakota, visitors will experience not only the tribal history and culture, but breathtaking views as well. Much of the route follows the Missouri River, which provides views of bountiful wildlife, diverse landscapes and stunning vistas of rolling hills and river bluffs.

Memorial markers, interpretive signs, and monuments commemorate the heritage of the Lakota and Dakota nations and allow visitors to learn history from the Native American and early settlers’ points of view.

A few of the sites along the byway include Sakakawea and Sitting Bull Monuments, Mobridge; Fort Manual, Kennel; and Fischer’s Lilly Park, Fort Pierre, where Lewis and Clark met with Native Americans.

The Native South Dakota tribal lands travel guide PDF is available for download here.

South Dakota’s Great Places weekly press release series is a project of the South Dakota Department of Tourism, designed to highlight places in South Dakota that are unique to travelers and residents alike. Click on the special “South Dakota’s Great Places” link at www.MediaSD.com to access the complete list of articles.

About Author

Katlyn Richter

Katlyn Richter is a Pierre, South Dakota resident. Originally from Minnesota, she has now found her home and place in South Dakota. Katlyn loves to hit the back roads and find the quirky places that visitors to South Dakota would love. Her favorite things about the state include the homemade maple-covered donuts at Wall Drug, Little Spearfish Falls in Spearfish Canyon, the Missouri River, and bike paths throughout the state.